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Sea Otter Classic - NE
Monterey, California USA, April 17-20, 2008
Main Page Results Overall standings Previous Race Next Race
Race 13 - Sunday, April 20: Cross Country - Elite men & women
Martinez and Emmett win with strong solo efforts
By Sue George in Monterey, California
Miguel Martinez and Kelli Emmett won the lengthy elite men's and women's cross country at Sea Otter on Sunday afternoon. Martinez attacked a group of eight men after the first lap to take the win almost three and a half minutes in front of the young Sam Schultz, who won the previous day's short track.
In the elite women's race, Emmett launched a strategic early attack from a group of five women and held her own, riding strongly all the way to the finish. The chase group broke apart on the last lap and from it, Jenna Xander finished second and her team-mate Kathy Sherwin in third.
Both the men and the women competed a grueling two laps of the 19 mile course, much of it exposed to strong winds and blowing dust and sand. Sections of deep send and loose traction proved the dry conditions don't necessarily make the going easy or fast.
Olympic champion rides away to victory
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On the first lap, a group of eight serious male contenders formed including Ryan Trebon, Sid Taberlay, Sam Schultz, Miguel Martinez, Carl Decker, Chris Sheppard, Mitchell Peterson and Ken Onodera. Trebon was often seen leading the group and for awhile, no effort to get away stuck as the winds made it too challenging for anyone to permanently escape. Following the lead group was at least a minute's gap and behind it, riders rode alone or with smaller groups - all staggered with large gaps in between.
It seemed likely the winner would emerge from that lead group and it was Olympic gold medallist Miguel Martinez who would do just that. "I attacked just after the second loop started," said the Frenchman through an interpreter after the race, which he finished in a time of 2.21.30. "I did it all alone after doing the first lap with the group. Technically and strategically, I wanted to wait until the second time to attack. Then I said 'It's time to go.' It wasn't like a wide open track. I went for it going into the singletrack - it's better for getting away."
"Sea Otter was one of my main goals. I'm very happy," said Martinez after the finish.
Just a little less than three minutes separated the winner from second placed Sam Schultz, the young rider who won the previous day's short track. "Things got hard on the second lap," said Schultz. "It split a bit on the climb. Martinez was really strong and he blew the doors off us on the second lap."
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Eventual 44th place finisher Trebon was one of Martinez's victims. "Oh man, that was hard," said Trebon. "I was surprised how fast they went away. Right after Phoenix [NMBS #2 in Fountain Hills, Arizona - ed.], I got the stomach flu and lost eight pounds. I thought I was over it, but I have never ever felt that horrible. I went from second to near last. I stopped some dude in a truck and ate his lunch." Trebon mustered enough energy and determination to see himself to the end, notorious for a long, windy climb leading back to the race track.
After Trebon dropped away from the contenders, Schultz and Sid Taberlay were left to do battle. "I realized it was kind of hopeless to keep chasing Miguel," said Schultz. "He kept attacking."
The American and the Australian rode most of the rest of the second and final lap together. Then Schultz made his move. "I attacked right before the final descent. I was on my 29er hardtail, so I could hold speed through the turns and descents," said Schultz, who noted that Trebon also had selected a 29er hardtail for the day's racing.
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A visibly tired Taberlay was fatigued from plenty of racing on the weekend. Although he did not compete in the short track, he did race the men's NRC road race the previous day. "I was struggling all day today," said Taberlay, an Olympic hopeful for 2008. "The wind was a factor. It was shattering, and with so much firetrail [fireroad - ed.], it was every man for himself. My legs were gone by the end."
Taberlay indicated he was also tired from the past two weeks, which he had spent packing and moving from Tasmania, Australia to the United States, in support of his wife's new job. The couple now resides in the Los Angeles area. Whether or not Americans will see more of Taberlay on the US circuit remains to be seen as the Australian is still working out his racing schedule for the season with an eye toward Beijing.
Emmett logs important win
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In the women's race, Kelli Emmett sent a message that she was the woman to beat when she launched a solo attack early in the race, on lap one of two, strategically at a big sandpit. She soon opened the gap to 30 seconds. She was chased by Super D and short track winner Lea Davison, Jenna Xander, Kathy Sherwin and Emily Van Meter. Behind them the rest of the pack was soon strung out in one and twos.
Emmett rode blind, but said she was motivated by not knowing how far back her chasers were. "I got no splits out there. I didn't go too hard the first lap, but it stuck and I knew I had to redeem myself from yesterday [she was nipped at the line for second and finished third in the short track. - ed.]."
It was Emmett's best Sea Otter cross country performance and a major victory for the ever-improving Giant racer - in a time of 2.52.58. Her best previous finish was fifth place several years ago.
In the chase group, the lone Trek / VW rider Davison was seeing orange. In fact, she was seeing it three times as all of her companions ride for the Sobe / Cannondale team. However, the uneven match did not bother Davison. "I just felt lucky to be in that group," said Davison who was feeling the effects of a fast first lap pace. "We worked together."
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"We thought maybe we could catch Kelli," said Xander who got a gap with Sherwin over the other two on the second lap. Sherwin hung tough, but eventually fell back from Xander, the American U23 National Champion in 2006. "I found a pace and stuck with it," said Xander, who finished second, just over two minutes back, after staying motivated on the final windy climb back to the race track. "I could see Kelli on the finishing climb."
Excited about her third place, Sherwin, who also finished solo, said, "It was my best finish ever. I felt really good. I woke up on the right side of the bed. I was really hungry; my body just knew and I ate four bagels for breakfast." She was pleased that her effort of the past six years had finally paid off with a strong result, especially after coming back from a "dislocated ribcage" injury from the previous season.
Emily Van Meter and Lea Davison completed the top five.
More photos coming!
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Steve Medcroft / Cyclingnews
- The San Dimas High School Marching Band chased the Otter around to launch the cross-country races on Sunday.
- The band carried flags representing the countries who fielded athletes in the pro men and women's XC races
- 22 year old Sam Schultz (Subaru-Gary Fisher) steadies himself for the start of the race. Schultz wore number 1 on his plate (he was the highest-placed racer from 2007 - 6th)
- Andy Schultz (Titus/Kenda)
- "Rad" Ross Schnell (Trek/VW)
- Ryan Trebon (Kona Les Gets) came second in Saturday's Short Track and says his fitness is not yet at mid-season form.
- "The Lung" Ned Overand (Specialized) still in the pro field at 51 years old.
- Aussie Sid Taberly
- Ken Onedera (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
- The 38-mile racecourse seems to suit endurance specialist David "Tinker" Juarez (Monavie/Cannondale)
- Nat Ross stands behind Sam Schultz at the start. Nat, one of the veterans on the Subaru/Gary Fisher team, takes an active role mentoring Schultz who he touts as 'the next big thing' in cross country mountain biking
- The men are off.
- Kelli Emmett (Giant) dons the skinsuit.
- Lea Davidson (Trek/VW) won the Short Track and was a favorite for the Cross Country.
- Shonny Vanlandingham (Luna Chix) was also a favorite. Vanlandingham says she's focusing on Xterra off-road triathlon competition this year as well as mountain biking.
- Kelli Emmett sizes up the Luna Chix before the start of the women's Cross Country
- One minute to go.
- The women's are ready.
Images by Sue George / Cyclingnews
- Kelli Emmett on her way to victory.
- Miguel Martinez celebrates his win.
- Carl Decker leads the men at the end of the first lap.
- Carl Decker is about to re-enter the raceway.
- Sam Schultz looks for another good result after his win yesterday.
- Mitchell Peterson hangs tough.
- Ryan Trebon leads what's left of the men's pack going out for lap two
- The lead group of eight with one to go.
- Ryan Trebon leads Sid Taberlay and the rest of the bunch.
- Tinker Juarez heading out for lap two.
- Mike Phillips
- Eric Batty leads Stefan Widmer
- Andy Schultz rides alone.
- A group goes out for lap two.
- A view from the cross country course.
- A singletrack section of the cross country course.
- A race of the spectators
- Kelli Emmett got her lead during lap one.
- Kelli Emmett on a steep climb.
- Four women worked together in an attempt to catch Kelli Emmett.
- The women chase Kelli Emmett
- The chase group had three Sobe / Cannondale racers out of four total.
- Kelli Emmett had a lonely day off the front.
- Kelli Emmett heads out for lap two.
- Four women chase Kelli Emmett
- Getting ready for lap two.
- Jenna Xander leads the chase group.
- Lea Davison looks back on the race track to see if any others will catch the chase group.
- The women head out on lap two to the off-road portion of the course.
- Jennifer Gersbach stretches her legs.
- Emily Batty leads Jean Ann McKirdy
- Shonny Vanlandingham
- Chloe Forsman
- Krista Park
- The long grind up the race track on the way out to lap two.
- Miguel Martinez had plenty of time to celebrate his win.
- Miguel Martinez speaks through an interpreter after his victory.
- Miguel Martinez
- Sam Schultz rode to second.
- Sam Schultz coasts to a stop after his race.
- Sam Schultz
- Mitchell Peterson finished fourth.
- Kenji Takeya is the Japanese National Champion, finishing 12th for the day.
- Sid Taberlay. We like his jersey!
- Kelli Emmett after her victory.
Images by Greg Robidoux
- The women start out for a two lap, 38 mile race.
- Kelli Emmett on her way to a solo victory.
- Kelli Emmett climbs
- Ryan Trebon spent a lot of time on the front on lap one.
- Miguel Martinez on his way to victory.
- Miguel Martinez gives it some gas riding solo off the front.
- Ryan Trebon leads Sid Taberlay
Results
Elite men 1 Miguel Martinez 2.21.30 2 Sam Schultz 3.25 3 Sid Taberlay 3.39 4 Mitchell Peterson 5.10 5 Federico Ramirez Mendez 6.18 6 Adam Morka 6.39 7 Chris Sheppard 6.50 8 Pierre-Yves Facomprez 7.13 9 Rotem Ishai 8.50 10 Ken Onodera 10.05 11 David Tinker Juarez 12 Kenji Takeya 10.15 13 Peter Glassford 11.27 14 Stefan Widmer 11.54 15 Eric Batty 12.14 16 Erik Tonkin 12.39 17 Ryan Woodall 13.13 18 Jason Sager 13.20 19 Carl Decker 13.30 20 Manuel Prado 14.08 21 Chance Noble 14.20 22 Robert Marion 14.55 23 Ross Schnell 15.00 24 Cody Peterson 15.09 25 Mike Phillips 15.40 26 Dana Weber 15.55 27 Tim Olson 16.02 28 Andy Schultz 17.31 29 Mike Garrigan 17.47 30 Kevin Smallman 17.52 31 Mark Santvrbane 18.01 32 Adam Snyder 18.28 33 Mitchell Hoke 18.33 34 Ned Overend 18.40 35 Chris Peariso 18.51 36 Brian Ashell 19.09 37 Jason Moeschler 19.20 38 Charles Jenkins 19.33 39 Sean Donovan 19.42 40 Rolert Herber 19.44 41 Ben Thompson 20.17 42 Stephen Ettinger 20.58 43 David Wiens 20.59 44 Ryan Trebon 21.54 45 Benoit Simard 22.04 46 Nigel Hill 22.06 47 Travis Livermon 22.07 48 Nat Ross 22.32 49 Aroussen Laflamme 22.45 50 David Yakaitis 23.19 51 TJ Woodruff 24.00 52 Ryan Iddings 24.18 53 Timothy Madgwick 54 Paul Freiwald 24.51 55 Kevin Bradford-Parish 25.47 56 Alex Ryan 27.31 57 Yuki Saito 28.50 58 Bryan Fawley 28.55 59 Nate Whitman 29.09 60 Charles Pendry 29.39 61 Chanoch Redlich 29.51 62 Matt Rotroff 30.32 63 Michael Raney 30.47 64 Matthew Paziuk 32.00 65 Kristopher Holden 34.08 66 Mike Joos 34.09 67 Kenny Burt 35.42 68 Aren Timmel 36.30 69 Yuri Hauswald 70 Steve Kinney 37.01 71 Jacob Mcclelland 41.15 Elite women 1 Kelli Emmett 2.52.58 2 Jenna Zander 2.18 3 Kathy Sherwin 4.41 4 Emily Van Meter 6.49 5 Lea Davison 7.41 6 Emily Batty 9.50 7 Amanda Carey 11.29 8 Jean Ann Mckirdy 11.45 9 Shonny Vanlandingham 14.03 10 Jennifer Gersbach 14.19 11 Krista Park 16.13 12 Rebecca Rusch 16.28 13 Nina Baum 18.13 14 Carolyn Popovic 20.59 15 Theresa Richardson 21.21 16 Maureen Kunz 21.53 17 Shannon Gibson 22.22 18 Sara Bresnickzoccni 22.51 19 Annajean Dallaire 23.07 20 Chloe Forsman 23.53 21 Danelle Kabush 24.16 22 Jana Repulski 27.07 23 Patty Buerkle 28.01 24 Catherine Vipond 28.47 25 Erika Krumpelman 30.02 26 Melodie Metzger 31.06 27 Mary-Ellen Ash 31.16 28 Keren Eckshtein 31.59 29 Jennifer Tilley 36.56 30 Jamie Stamps 41.23 31 Johanna Kraus 41.24 32 Sonya Looney 41.57 33 Rachel Throop 43.53 34 Rebecca Gross 47.13 35 Christie Pleiss 49.28 36 Alejandra Carvajal 1.01.31 Semi-pro men 1 Ty Kady 2.36.00 2 Mike Anderson 0.07 3 Menso De Jong 3.01 4 Roger Bartels 3.59 5 Brian Rouse 4.32 6 Matt Chaney 6.04 7 Corey Ward 6.42 8 Blake Harlan 7.16 9 Rich Thurman 7.56 10 Rob Anderson 8.15 11 Matt Googe 8.24 12 Chris Daiuisio 9.05 13 Michael Boehm 9.12 14 Eric Thompson 9.31 15 Lyle Warner 10.30 16 Bob Delp 10.49 17 Alex Boone 11.16 18 Jason Siegle 11.28 19 Nicholas Weighall 11.34 20 Justin Maka 11.36 21 Chris Brown 11.48 22 Jim Hewett 12.00 23 Mike Oceguera 12.21 24 Tom Skiles 25 Chris Burnham 26 Erik Ebberoth 12.53 27 Romolo Forcino 13.18 28 Luke Brechwald 13.36 29 Wes Dickson 13.47 30 Aaron Bradford 14.07 31 Jason Rahlwes 14.23 32 Andrew Rigel 14.50 33 Rick Cotter 14.51 34 Luke Rozanski 15.05 35 Monte Boyle 15.19 36 Chad Stoehr 15.44 37 Allan Laframboise 16.01 38 Tom Sharp 16.27 39 Kyle Stock 16.36 40 Tony Routley 17.11 41 Benjamin Ragains 42 Gabriel Keck 43 Brock Dickie 18.18 44 Matt Ohran 18.22 45 Sergio Garcia 18.40 46 Jeff Kerkove 19.55 47 Tim Knudsen 20.24 48 Nathan Drozd 21.39 49 Michael Runnals 21.55 50 John Peterson 24.12 51 Josh Smith 24.31 52 Jarred Swalwell 26.31 53 Robert Drouin 28.13 54 Daniel Perez 32.50 55 Dean Poshard 33.59 56 Clint Hosman 36.23 57 Matthew Kramer 36.26 58 Jason Hilimire 49.03 59 Chris Holley 1.01.31
